Bangladesh vs New Zealand NZ in BAN, 3 T20Is, 2026, Full Score Card

That's the game for Bangladesh. Short and wide of off, Tawhid Hridoy jumps down the track and looks to cut it away. Gets a top-edge towards the third man region for a single to close the game. Bangladesh win by 6 wickets.

Yorker, on off, Shamim Hossain rolls this in front of mid off and takes a run. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

Yorker, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain flicks this to mid on.

Just 2 more needed for Bangladesh to win this game.

FIFTY FOR TAWHID! Full and on off, Tawhid Hridoy pushes this down to long on for a single. Brings up his half-century as well. Tawhid walked in when the home side was in deep trouble but he has played an excellent unbeaten knock to bring his side in touching distance to the finish line.

Back of a length, around middle and off, Shamim Hossain pulls this to wide long on for one.

Yorker, on off, Tawhid rolls this through mid off for one.

SIX! Pitched up, around middle and off, Shamim Hossain plants his front foot towards the off side and flicks this up and over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a huge six. 25 runs have come off this Fisher over.

NO BALL AND FOUR! The wheels have come off for New Zealand here as Fisher bowls another No Ball. Beamer around off, Shamim Hossain slashes hard at it, gets it edged off the outside and the ball has raced to the left of the keeper for a boundary towards the third man region.

WIDE! Full and way too wide outside off. Shamim Hossain looks for a reverse ramp but misses. Wided.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Full and on the pads, Shamim Hossain plays the leg glance fine and wide to the right of the short third fielder for a boundary. The buzzer goes around the ground, gesturing that the bowler has overstepped. Free Hit up next ...

Short and on off, Tawhid pulls this flat towards deep mid-wicket and settles for a run.

Full and on the pads, Shamim Hossain tucks this to mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy dabs this through cover-point for one more.

Good length on off, Shamim Hossain pats this in front of covers and takes a run.

FOUR! Pitched up, around the pads, Shamim Hossain leans over it and flicks this up and over the fielder at short fine leg and the ball goes on-bounce and over the fence for four more runs.

Another over that yields 18 runs for Bangladesh. The home side now needs just 30 more to win off the last 4 overs.

SIX! Back of a length, around middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy crouches a touch low  and pulls this out of the park towards the deep square leg region for a biggie.

Good length, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! That is an extremely good stroke by Shamim Hossain. Bouncer, on middle and leg, Shamim Hossain doesn't bother looking at the ball as he almost laps this standing on his feet for a biggie towards the fine leg region.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy jumps down the track and helps this to deep square leg for one.

WIDE! Slower one, wide down the leg. Wided.

On a length, around middle and off, Tawhid Hridoy flicks this towards long and the batters decide to take on the arm of Tim Robinson for the second. A direct hit from the fielder at the stumps to the non-striker's end but the batters has made his ground with a dive.

Back of a length, wide of off, Shamim Hossain punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

On a length, outside off. Shamim Hossain cuts it to point for a single.

Shamim Hossain is the next batter in.

OUT! Parvez Hossain Emon falls into the trap. Josh Clarkson bowls it full and near the tramline. Parvez Hossain Emon swings his blade but toe ends his shot to long off. He falls over while playing the shot too. Tim Robinson in the deep makes no mistake. A good hand by PHE.

A slower length delivery, around off. Hridoy guides it to short third for a single.

A wide yorker from Josh. Parvez Hossain Emon carves it away to deep point for a single.

SIX! Launched away! This is full and around off. Parvez Hossain Emon picks the length quickly, hangs back and smashes it over long on for a massive six.

Drops it short and around off. Hridoy pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up, around off. Parvez Hossain Emon punches it down to long on and comes back for the second run easily.

Slightly full and turning away, outside off. Tawhid punches it to point for a single.

Slower through the air, length and outside off. TH cuts it to point.

Drops it short and wide of off. Parvez Hossain Emon cuts it to deep point, wide of the man there for a brace.

Fuller ball, outside off. Tawhid Hridoy cuts it behind point for a single.

Bowls a googly on the flatter side on middle. Parvez Hossain Emon gets cramped as he pushes it to long on for one.

Darts it on the pads. Tawhid Hridoy clips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Poor delivery with third man up! Shorter and outside off, too wide. Tawhid Hridoy ramps it over short third man for a boundary.

Back of a length and on middle and leg. Parvez Hossain Emon punches it in front of cover and runs across. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Parvez Hossain Emon gets hit on the back of the left boot and looks in serious pain. The physio is out with the magic spray.

Beautifully bowled! A yorker, dipping right on Emon's toes. He fails to flick it away and wears it on the boots. Gets hit on the back of the left boot and looks in serious pain. The physio is out with the magic spray.

A slower length delivery, outside off. Hridoy slaps it to point for one.

Shorter delivery, on leg. Parvez Hossain Emon pulls it very fine, past short fine leg. Ish Sodhi runs back, slides near the fence and saves a run.

A full toss, angling on off. Parvez Hossain Emon drills it to Josh Clarkson, who half-stops to his left for a quick single.

In the slot, full and on middle. Hridoy nudges it to long on for one more.

On a length and on off, nipping in. Hridoy clips it to the right of long on for a single.

SIX! Quality shot! Josh Clarkson bowls it very full and outside off. Hridoy shuffles across, shows full face of the blade and hammers it downtown for a six.

Pushes it full and on middle and off. Parvez Hossain Emon taps it wide of cover for a single.

Good length delivery, around off. Hridoy drops it to cover for a single.

Wide! Well outside off, Hridoy leaves it alone.

SIX! Superb from Emon. Good over for Bangladesh despite the wicket. Parvez Hossain Emon walks across, watches the full ball and slogs it over mid-wicket for a massive six. 18 runs off it.

FOUR! Hit away! Too full from Sodhi, wide of off. Parvez Hossain Emon frees his arms and clubs it down to long off for a boundary.

Flat and outside off, Hridoy punches it to deep cover for a single.

SIX! Excellent shot! Ish Sodhi loops it up but bowls a lot fuller, around off. Hridoy slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket and it goes the distance.

Slightly short and outside off. Parvez Hossain Emon cuts it to deep cover for a single.

Parvez Hossain Emon comes to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Wicket on the first ball after the drinks break. Pushes it full and wide of off, was the googly. Tanzid Hasan gets low and hits it to long off where Nathan Smith slides to his right and takes it.

DRINKS. Bangladesh are going along strongly but need a big partnership to calm some nerves around the ground. New Zealand have bowled well in patches but need to keep taking wickets regularly so they can build some pressure for the last few overs. Bangladesh are favourites but New Zealand are still in the game.

FOUR! On a length, around middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy gets inside the line and flicks this fine in the gap between the keeper and the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. Tawhid Hridoy has looked busy in the middle.

Slower one, short and on middle and leg, Tanzid Hasan hooks this to fine leg for a single.

Short and on middle and off, Tawhid Hridoy works this through mid-wicket for a single this time.

Back of a length, around middle and off, Tawhid Hridoy hops back inside the crease and works this through mid-wicket for a brace.

Short and on middle and off, Tawhid Hridoy dances down the track and pulls this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

Good length, around middle and leg, Tanzid Hasan flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

Wrong'un, around middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy punches this back to the bowler.

Tawhid Hridoy walks out next to bat.

OUT! TIMBER! Slider, into the line of the stumps, Litton Das exposes his stumps as he backs away a bit and swings across the line. Gets beaten all ends up and the ball rattles the timber. Just when it looked like Bangladesh are making their way back into this contest, Bangladesh lose thier skipper.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Litton Das flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Length dragged back a bit, around middle and off, Litton Das goes down on a knee and sweeps this to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Quicker one, around off, Litton Das goes for a reverse sweep again but doesn't his this well enough and finds backward point.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Bangladesh. Fuller, around middle and leg, Litton Das brings out the reverse sweep and hits this behind backward point for a boundary.

Short-pitched delivery, around off, Litton Das pulls this towards the cow corner reagion for a single.

Yorker again, on middle and leg, Tanzid Hasan works this through mid-wicket for a single.

Yorker, on off, Litton Das jams this around silly point and rotates the strike.

Good length, around off, Litton Das pushes this to mid off for no run.

Short and into the batter, ets big on the batter. Tanzid Hasan is late into the pull and ends up lobbing this behind the bowler for a single.

Good length, around off, Litton Das punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Pushed through, wide of off, Tanzid Hasan looks for the slog sweep but gets beaten.

Fuller around off, Tanzid Hasan cuts this to short third for no run.

Leg bye.

SIX! Slogged over the fence for six. Tossed up, around off, Litton Das goes down on a knee and slog sweeps this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive biggie.

Pushed through around off, Litton Das blocks this out.Much slower, around middle and leg, Litton Das swings early at it. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball hits Das on the thigh pad. Loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Kelly sends this upstairs. Nothing on the UltraEdge. Ball Tracking up next, pitching in line and an umpire's call on impact with the batter and ball clipping the top of the leg pole saves the day for Das as the on-field decision was Not Out.

Fuller around off, Litton Das plays the reverse sweep towards short third for no run.

Hard length, on off, Litton Das tucks this to short mid-wicket and takes a run.

Short-pitched delivery, on middle and off, Tanzid Hasan hooks this to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length around off, Litton Das cuts this to deep third for a single.

Litton Das walks out at 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Good length, around middle and off, shaping back into the batter. Saif Hassan plants this front foot towards his leg side and slogs at it. Gets his bat tilted in hands at the time of contact with the ball and Bevon Jacobs at deep mid-wicket gathers this nice and clean.

Back of a length, around off, Tanzid Hasan cuts this to the right of cover-point for one.

Back of a length, going across the batter. Tanzid Hasan puts his head down and goes for a wild swing but misses out.

Short in length on off. Saif Hassan looks to reverse paddle it but misses.

FOUR BYES! Oh, it was turning out to be a great over so far. Scrambled seam shorter delivery on leg. Saif Hassan makes room to pull but misses. The ball bounces right in front of the keeper and the dead bounce doesn't help him either. It rolls away to the fence.

Fuller delivery, on middle and leg. Hasan nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Shorter and outside off, steep bounce on it. Hasan bottom edges his cut shot back to the keeper.

Wide! Serves it full and down leg. Hasan looks to flick but misses.

Into the surface, slower ball, on middle and leg. Hasan steps across to pull but misses.

Drifts in a fuller delivery on middle and leg. Hasan clips it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

SIX! Finally, Saif connects properly. Back of a length on middle. Saif Hassan pulls it over mid-wicket, flat shot for a six.

Wide! Too full, wide outside off and swinging away. Saif Hassan slashes his blade and misses.

Drags his length back and bowls around off. Saif Hassan comes down and smashes it to mid off.

Matthew Fisher gives room outside off, fuller-length delivery. Saif Hassan plays with a straight bat over mid off but mistimes it for a couple.

A slower length delivery on leg. Hasan turns it to mid-wicket for one more. It is given as a leg bye.

Angles in a length ball on the pads. Hasan clips it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Overpitched, around off. Hasan gets underneath and crunches it through cover for a brace.

On a nagging length and around off. Saif Hassan uses the angle and guides it to backward point.

Fractionally short, around off. Hasan whips it across to square leg for a run.

A good length delivery, around off. Hasan solidly defends it out.

Short in length, around off. Hasan pulls it to square leg.

Back of a length, around off. Hasan pulls it flat and hard past mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ripped! Into the surface, hard length and comes in with an angle. Hasan uses his feet to clip it away but gets beaten comprehensively.

A huge appeal for LBW, turned down. Serves it full and angling around off. Saif Hassan gets his front foot across to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. Maybe the impact was outside.

Pushes it full and around off. Saif tucks it to mid on.

FOUR! Carved away! Matthew Fisher bangs it into the surface, outside off. Saif Hassan cuts it aerially and over point for a boundary.

Length ball, outside off. Saif Hassan slaps it straight to point.

Back of a length delivery on leg at 139.7 clicks. Saif Hassan looks to flick it but misses.

Starts with a length ball, outside off, stays a bit low. Saif Hassan slashes his blade and misses.

Matthew Fisher to bowl from the other end.

FOUR! A chance up front but Ish Sodhi puts it down. Overpitches it up, shaping back in very late. Hasan tries to work with the angle across but top edges it to third man. Ish Sodhi runs to his left but puts it down. A boundary.

Gives a bit of room on the off side, fuller length. Hasan punches it to cover.

Pushes it full and on middle and leg, shaping in. Hasan looks to flick but mistimes it to mid-wicket.

Bashes it short and outside off, extra bounce on it. Saif Hassan drops it wide of gully for a single.

Wide! Angles in a length ball, down leg. Saif Hassan fails to clip it again.

Wide! Slides it full and down the leg side. Saif Hassan looks to flick but misses.

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Pitches it up on middle and leg. Saif Hassan creates room on the leg side and lofts it over point for a boundary. Bangladesh are underway.

Nathan Smith begins with a good length delivery on middle. Saif Hassan clips it to mid-wicket.

On a length, around middle and leg, Josh Clarkson slogs this off the inside of his bat. The ball goes to the left of deep square leg and the batters run two. New Zealand have posted 182 for 6 after 20 overs.

Low full toss, on middle and off, Nathan Smith chips this in front of Rishad at long off. Rishad run in well from the fence, goes for a catch but the ball pops out of his grasp as he hits the floor. Single taken.

Another yorker, around middle and off, Josh Clarkson goes down on a knee and flicks this straight to deep square leg for one.

LEG BYE! Excellent yorker, a toe-crusher around middle and leg, going down the leg. Nathan Smith goes for a flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. SMith falls over but takes a leg bye at the end.

Yorker on middle and off, Josh Clarkson flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a run.

This was right in the slot, around off, Josh Clarkson swings hard at it but fails to connect.

Good length, around off, Josh Clarkson pushes this down to long off for a single.

Yorker, on off, Josh Clarkson works this through mid-wicket and takes a brace here. Excellent running by these two batters.

WIDE! Bumper, a bit too high for the umpire's liking. Wided.

Back of the hand, slower one, around middle and off, Josh Clarkson swings hard but gets it away off the inside edge towards long leg for a couple of runs.

SIX! Tanzim looks for the yorker and goes a bit wrong. Josh Clarkson converts it into a full toss and slogs this out of the park over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie.

Back of the hand slower one, around middle and off, Nathan Smith pushes this down to long on and takes a single.

On a length, around middle and off, Josh Clarkson flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Yorker, around off, Nathan Smith shuffles well across the stumps and goes for a flick but misses.

OUT! CAUGHT! Quicker one, cutter and on off. Nick Kelly looks to pull this out of the park but swings early and ends up lobbing this over Tanzim Hasan Sakib at the short fine leg region. Tanzim makes no mistake and holds onto it. Nathan Smith walks out next to bat.

FOUR! Slower one, back of a length, around middle and leg, Nick Kelly plays this with the back of the bat and reverse hits this over the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Slower one again, full and wide of off, Nick Kelly jams this back to the bowler.

Slower one, full and wide of off, Nick Kelly looks for the ramps and shuffles a long way across but misses out. Kelly was way too quick to shuffle across.

Low full toss, around off, Josh pushes this down to long off for one.

Back of a length, around midlde and off, Josh Clarkson pulls this towards the cow corner region for a single.

FOUR! As straight as an arrow. Pitched up, around off, Josh Clarkson gets right behind the line of it and plays the lofted straight drive over the bowler for a boundary in front of the sight screen.

On a length, around off, slower one. Nick Kelly guides this to backward point for a single.

It looks like the flood lights are 100 percent operational and we are all good to continue.

HALT! The umpires gather on the adjacent track to voice concerns over the fading natural light, even though the stadium's artificial lights are already 50 percent active as per the on-air commentator. Despite the floodlights being on, the officials determine that the current visibility remains inadequate for play to continue safely. Kelly is particularly not happy with this decision as the visitors just about started to gain some timely momentum.

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

Game stopped due to : Light Failure

Full and wide outside off, Nick Kelly jumps down the track and leaves it expecting a wide but the umpire calls it a fair one.

SIX! Pitched up, around the pads, Nick Kelly picks it up with a flick and hits this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie. Nick Kelly races to 34.

FOUR! WOW! Full and on middle and leg, Nick Kelly doesn't move his feet much but innovates with a ramp over the fielder at short third region for a boundary. Excellent reading of the field by Kelly.

FOUR! Quicker one, on the pads, Josh Clarkson goes down on a knee and paddle sweeps this through the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Nick Kelly backs away and pushes this to forward mid on for one.

Tossed up, on off, Nick Kelly once again plays the reverse sweep but doesn't time this well and rolls it to cover-point.

FOUR! A boundary after a while and Kelly innovates well to score it. Flighted around leg, Nick Kelly plays the reverse sweep and hits this behind point for four runs.

Fuller around off, Josh Clarkson flicks this away for one.

LEG BYE! Tossed up, around leg, Nick Kelly steps inside the line a bit and looks for the flick but gets beaten and is hit on the back pad. The ball deflects behind the stumps and the batters run a leg bye. Litton Das sends this upstairs as the umpire turns down his appeal for LBW. Two reds and an umpire's call on the impact of the ball with the stumps as it kisses the top of the bails on leg. Ball Tracking and the on-field call of Not Out, saves the day for Kelly.

Josh Clarkson is the next batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! The spin-choke from Bangladesh is for real. Mahedi continues to bowl around the stumps, darts across the batter, on off. Dean Foxcroft jumps down the track and looks to have a heave at it but misses and the ball uproots his off pole.

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Nick Kelly pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Fired into the batter, around his pads, Nick Kelly backs away and has a slog at it but gets beaten.

Fuller around middle and off, Dean Foxcroft goes down on a knee and sweeps this to deep square leg for a single.

Clever by the bowler. Nick Kelly was a bit too quick to jump down the deck and Mahedi Hasan cleverly dishes this way too wide of off. Kelly does well in the end to push this through covers for a single.

Fuller, down the leg, following the batter. Nick gets beaten and is hit on the pads.

Hard length, around off, Dean Foxcroft dabs this to point.

Good length, on middle and leg, Nick Kelly flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Full and down the leg. Nick Kelly does well to leave it and the umpire gives it a wide.

Cutter, around off, Nick Kelly tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

FOUR! Back of a length, around off, going across the batter. Nick Kelly gets up on his toes, plays this late and cuts this past the fielder at backward point for a boundary.

Bumper, on off, Nick Kelly pulls this over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Good length, on the pads, Dean Foxcroft gets it edged off the inside edge onto his pads for a single.

Full and around off, Dean Foxcroft pushes this to mid off for a quick single.

On a length, around off, Dean Foxcroft guides this to point for no run.

Hard length, on off, Dean Foxcroft blocks this to covers.

Dean Foxcroft walks out next in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Back of a length, around off, Bevon Jacobs backs away a shade and looks to go big around the cover region. Hits this from the bottom of his bat and finds Rishad Hossain at the sweeper cover region. A disappointing outing for Bevon.

Sakib comes around the stumps and bowls it from wide of the crease and on a length, into the batter. Nick Kelly looks to take the mid off fielder on again but this time gets an inside edge that rolls to the fine leg region for a single.

FOUR! Good length, around off, Nick Kelly jumps down and away from the stumps. Lofts this intentionally over the fielder at mid off for four runs.

Quicker one, around off, Nick Kelly drills this down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, around off, Bevon Jacobs presses onto the front foot and drives this to long off to get off the mark with a single.

Bevon Jacobs is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Googly, around middle and leg, Katene Clarke looks to play the reverse sweep but gets cramped and hits this from the sticker of his bat to point. Tawhid Hridoy settles himself underneath it and holds onto it. Katene Clarke departs right after scoring a half-century as well.

Top-spin, around off, Katene Clarke waits for it and pats this to point for no run.

Fuller around middle and off, Nick Kelly gives it a charge down the ground and swings at it. Miscues this off the cue end and that's what has saved him as the ball drops in front of deep mid-wicket. One run taken.

Quicker one, following the batter to his leg, KC punches this down to long off for one.

MAIDEN T20I FIFTY FOR CLARKE! Fuller around off, Katene Clarke goes deep inside the crease and tucks this through mid-wicket for one to bring up his 50.

Quicker one, around off, Katene Clarke cuts this to point for no run.

Full and into the batter, Nick Kelly tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

LEG BYE! Tossed up, outside off, Katene Clarke steps across and goes for a sweep but misses and gets it away of his pads to square leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Just as we thought that Bangladesh was getting back into the contest with a good spell of bowling, Katene Clarke innovates with a reverse sweep and finds the fence towards the third man region for four.

Bangladesh are slowing getting things tightened here.

Fuller around off, Nick Kelly punches this through covers for one.

Top-spinner, around off, Katene Clarke looks to cut this off his back foot but gets beaten.

Tossed up, around off, Nick Kelly flicks this down to long on for a single.

DRINKS! It has been an amazing start with the bat for the visitors despite the dismissal of Tim Robinson early on. Dane Cleaver was going good gund before being dismissed on 51, whereas Katene Clarke is still out in the middle and nearing his landmark as well. Bangladesh would be looking to stem the flow of runs and picking wickets is the best way to do that. Nick Kelly walks out next to bat.

OUT! LBW​​! Rishad Hossain removes the half-centurion. Quicker one, googly on off, Dane Cleaver misreads it and plays this for a leggie as he looks to reverse ramp it. Gets beaten and is rapped on the pads. A loud appeal by the bowling side and the umpire raises his finger.  Dane departs after a good hand of 51 off 28 balls.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR DANE! Tossed up, around off, Dane Cleaver stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and lofts this over the fielder at extra cover for a boundary to bring up his half-century.

FOUR! Fuller around off, Dane Cleaver plays the reverse sweep and hits this fine to the right of backward point and the ball has raced to the fence for four.

DROPPED! Katene Clarke gets a life on 44 as Saif Hassan drops him. Tossed up, around middle and off, Katene Clarke sweeps this but doesn't time this well and ends up hitting around Saif Hassan at deep square leg. Saif misreads the flight of it and grasses this. A single taken.

FOUR! 90 for 1 after 9 overs are NZ. Good length, on middle and leg, Dane Cleaver steps inside the line and flicks this in the gap towards the cow corner region for a boundary to close the over.

Pitched up, arond middle and off, Dane Cleaver flicks this towards the left of the field at deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Yorker, on off, Dane Cleaver jams this out.

ood length, on off, Katene Clarke guides this to the fielder at the deep third region for a single.

On a length, around off, Katene Clarke shimmies down the track and rolls this straight to covers for no run.

Hard length, around off, Dane Cleaver punches this through point for one.

Full and on off, Dane Cleaver pushes this towards cover-point for a single.

Quicker one, around middle and leg, Katene Clarke jumps down the track and looks to work this towards wide long on but gets an inside edge that rolls onto his pads and goes back towards the right of the keeper. Litton Das fails to gather this and this chance goes begging.

Fuller around off, Dane Cleaver punches this in the gap down the ground for one.

Fuller wide of off, Dane Cleaver goes for a reverse sweep but fails to connect bat on ball. Das gathers this behind the stumps and removes the bails in a flash. This is sent upstairs for a stumping check. The back foot of Dane did drag out for a moment but he dragged it back inside just in time.

Full and straight into the line of the stumps. Katene Clarke drives this down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Flighted around off, Katene Clarke throws his hands at it. Gets it sliced through the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

A bit flat and around off. Katene Clarke gets on his knee and paddles it to deep square leg for a single.

Slower in the air, full and on middle. Katene Clarke punches it to cover.

SIX! Off the middle for a six. Tosses it up, fuller and on leg. Katene Clarke dances down the track and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie. First six for Clarke.

FOUR! Fine shot. Quicker, fuller and on middle. Cleaver sweeps and underedges it well past short fine leg for a boundary.

Too full and on middle and leg. Cleaver tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Looped up, touch fuller and on middle. Katene Clarke top edges his sweep shot and it lands in front of deep square leg for one.

Good powerplay for New Zealand. 61/1 in the six overs. Bangladesh have been sloppy in the field and with the ball so far.

Serves it full and on middle and leg. Katene Clarke helps it away to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Should have been stopped! Back of a length on middle. Katene Clarke pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his left but fumbles to pick it up cleanly and it rolls through into the fence.

Pushes it full and on middle. Cleaver drills it down to mid on for a single.

Length ball, outside off. Katene Clarke cuts it through point for a single.

This is full and on middle and leg. Cleaver dances down the track and tucks it away to mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Just like the previous six. Short of a good length, around off. Cleaver steps across, pre-meditates and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Too full and on middle and leg. Cleaver flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Floated full and on leg. Katene Clarke sweeps it to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Flatter delivery, skidding a bit on leg. Katene Clarke goes on the back foot to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. A huge appeal for LBW but turned down. Bangladesh take the review. UltraEdge shows no bat. Ball Tracking shows it clips the outside half of the leg pole. Umpire's call it is.

FOUR! Hit away. Looped up, full and drifting on leg. Katene Clarke steps across the line and paddles it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Tossed up on middle. Cleaver nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mahedi Hasan begins with a fuller delivery on middle. Katene Clarke clips it to square leg for a single. Slight hesitation for the run but they take it. There is a quick run out appeal, but Cleaver is in.

Short of a length, just outside off. Katene Clarke punches it to cover for a run.

Angles in a length ball on the pads. Cleaver flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single. Parvez Hossain Emon has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Katene Clarke had given up on making it into his crease at the non-stiker's end as he was a long way down while backing up.

Good length delivery, around off. Cleaver taps it in front of cover.

SIX! Brilliant start by Cleaver. Pre-meditates the line here, he steps across, picks the length and paddles it over fine leg for a biggie.

FOUR! Nicely played! Touch fuller and on middle. Cleaver punches it across, past mid-wicket and it rolls into the fence.

Pushes it full and on middle, slower delivery. Cleaver picks the pace and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple more.

Lands safely! Short of a length, on middle. Katene Clarke gets inside the line, bends low and pulls it across. It goes off the higher part of the blade over mid-wicket for a brace.

Fuller delivery, around off, nipping in. Cleaver tries to hit it straight but plays off the inner half of the bat to mid on for one.

Back of a length, outside off. Katene Clarke cuts it to deep point for a single.

Closer to the off pole, hard length. Cleaver steers it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Ripon Mondol delivers a freebie now. Short in length and wide of off. Dane Cleaver stays back and punches it nicely through point for a boundary.

Good length delivery on middle. Katene Clarke turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Uses the feet again. Sakib bowls it short and wide of off. Cleaver frees his arms and deposits it over extra-cover for a one-bounce four. A freebie and it is hit away.

On a good length and around off. Cleaver punches it to cover.

Short of a good length, outside off. Cleaver steps down and flashes his blade. The extra bounce takes the edge towards third man for a brace.

Pitches up an outswinger, outside off. Cleaver drives it to cover.

Dane Cleaver walks in.

OUT! TIM IS RUN OUT! Oh, there was never a run there. A good length delivery, around off. Katene Clarke steps down and punches it to short cover. Slight hesitation between the batters and they still go for the run. Tawhid Hridoy picks up and hits at the stumps at the batter's end. Tim Robinson was not even in the frame.

Touch fuller, around off, little bit of movement. Katene Clarke knocks it to cover.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib to bowl from the other end.

An inswinging fuller length delivery on middle. Robinson respectfully blocks it out.

Leg bye! Bowls it straight again, on the pads. Katene Clarke looks to flick as he walks down but misses. It rolls off the pads to short fine leg for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Shoriful Islam bowls it on the pads, fuller length. Katene Clarke clips it over mid-wicket and it speeds into the fence.

Wide! Keeps it short and bowls it on leg. Katene Clarke steps down and across to pull it away but misses.

On a good length, around off. Katene Clarke punches it to cover.

Wide! Shorter delivery, around leg with a hint of swing. Katene Clarke steps across to pull but misses.

Back of a length delivery, on top of off. Katene Clarke blocks it on the deck.

FOUR! New Zealand are underway in style. Islam angles away a length ball, wide outside off. Katene Clarke flashes his blade and hits it aerially over point for a boundary.

All set for action. The Bangladeshi players are out in the middle. Tim Robinson and Katene Clarke to open for New Zealand. Shoriful Islam to bowl first. A slip in place. Let's play...

Time for the national anthems. It will be of the visiting team first, followed by that of the hosts.

PITCH REPORT - HD Ackerman reports that the Chattogram pitch, appearing as a belter with firm, true bounce, requires a score of 170-180 to be competitive, surpassing the historical average of 155. He notes that despite a slight tinge of green, the surface lacks significant turn and features an asymmetrical boundary, with a short 59m boundary to the off-side, the batters are likely to exploit that region.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (C)(WK), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (WK), Nick Kelly (C), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister.

Nick Kelly, the skipper of New Zealand - Kelly talks about Tom Latham's injury. Kelly says he got hit on the toes but should recover quickly. Adds they are happy to bat first, the boys know the conditions now and are ready to go. Reckons the players might not have played much international cricket but have played enough cricket. Tells they'll assess the conditions with the bat and later look for a competitive score.

The skipper of Bangladesh, Litton Das - Das says the looming threat of rain later in the evening is the primary tactical reason for chasing. Das mentions that they have opted for a balanced bowling attack consisting of three seamers and two specialist spinners, supported by a solid core of six frontline batters.

TOSS - ​​​Bangladesh have won the coin flip and they will be BOWLING first.

The deciding factors - The game will likely be won or lost in how both sides make use of the Powerplay and how the visitors tackle the spin wizardry of the hosts. On a Chattogram pitch that typically favours batting first, early aggression from openers like Tanzid Hasan and Tim Robinson will be critical. However, as the surface wears, the duel between Bangladesh’s spinners, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain, and New Zealand's middle order will determine the final total. If the Kiwis can find a way to neutralize the spin threat, they could very well steal a march in this series opener. Stay tuned for toss and team updates. 

A youthful brigade rebuilding - For the visitors, this series is a massive opportunity for the next generation of Black Caps to step out of the shadows. With several first-choice stars currently away on franchise commitments, Tom Latham leads a new-look squad hungry to prove its worth. Despite a disappointing finish to the ODIs, individual performances from the likes of Dean Foxcroft, who earned a Player of the Match award earlier in the tour, and the veteran spin of Ish Sodhi provide reasons for optimism. Historically, New Zealand has dominated the fixture, but they face a steep learning curve against a Bangladesh side that is nearly unstoppable in its own backyard.

Seeking home dominance with new faces - Bangladesh enters this series with significant momentum but also a sense of fresh beginnings. While they haven't played a T20I in nearly five months, their recent ODI success has provided a platform for several new and returning players to shine. Led by Litton Das, the Bengal Tigers have introduced fresh talent like Ripon Mondol and Abdul Saqlain to bolster a bowling attack already featuring the likes of Shoriful Islam.

Tour shifts to the shortest format - Hello and welcome, fans of this beautiful game, to what promises to be an explosive T20I series. After a hard-fought battle in the 50-over format, the focus shifts to the adrenaline-pumping world of T20 cricket. The home crowd is still buzzing from Bangladesh's historic 2-1 ODI series victory, where they bounced back from an opening loss to dominate the final two fixtures. As the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium prepares for the first of three T20Is, the atmosphere is set for a high-intensity clash between a confident home side and a determined, yet youthful, visiting squad.

... MATCHDAY ...

A fresh start in Chattogram - The international cricket action continues as Bangladesh and New Zealand switch gears to the shortest format, locking horns in the first T20I of their three match series at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram. After an intensely fought 50 over contest just a few days ago, both sides will be eager to set an aggressive tone early in this series. The pitch in Chattogram is traditionally known to be quite batter friendly, making it a brilliant surface for high scores. The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bat first, aiming to post a big total and apply scoreboard pressure on a flat deck. Tigers return to action - Bangladesh are stepping back into the T20 arena after a massive 146 days break, having unfortunately missed out on the recent T20 World Cup. However, they enter this series absolutely brimming with confidence after clinching the recent ODI series against the Kiwis. Captain Litton Das recently found his touch with a crucial 76 in the final ODI, setting a great example for the top order to follow. With a revamped pace attack featuring Shoriful Islam and Tanzim Hasan, the Tigers will be eager to establish their dominance on home soil right from the first ball. New look Kiwis seeking revenge - On the other side of the pitch, New Zealand will be desperate to bounce back after stumbling in the final two ODIs. They have brought a very fresh squad to Bangladesh, missing several regular stars who are currently away on franchise duties. Despite this inexperience, they pack plenty of firepower. Dean Foxcroft is coming off a spectacular knock where he smashed seven sixes in the final ODI, proving he has completely adapted to these conditions. If their new look top order can fire during the powerplay, they will put the Bangladeshi bowlers under serious pressure. Form guide (last five T20I games, most recent first) - BAN - W W L L L | NZ - L L W W L. The ultimate powerplay battle - This opening matchup perfectly sets up a classic battle between New Zealand's aggressive young batters and Bangladesh's confident new bowling attack. The Kiwis will want to use their power hitting to take the game away early, but the Tigers know exactly how to restrict opponents in Chattogram. With Bangladesh boasting an excellent daytime record at this venue, the visitors have their work cut out for them. If the Bangladeshi seamers can find their rhythm early, it will be a massive challenge for the Kiwis. Settle in, because this series opener promises to be a fantastic contest!